Im just talking to my friend now on the phone and he told me how great his work out was.
I still cant even do the elliptical for 20 minutes without severe leg pain.
Am I doing myself damage?
Im trying b12- magnesium, advil.
What more can I do? Take carnitine?
I want my health back.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I think about this ALL the time too. I wonder if I should push myself to the max?
Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :
When I do push myself I end up taking more stuf too sleep and for pain. That cant be right can it?
Posted by btmb03 (Member # 18394) on :
Depends on how sick you are...and where you are in tx. "Pushing" can lead to "crashing" and more pain as you have seen.
I did more damage to my body pushing/crashing and from what I understand until the infection/pathogen is under control and you are more functional, you can actually damage your heart more.
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
Light to moderate aerobic activity is what you want. You want to wear a sweat shirt and pants if possible, with a tee shirt underneath. Detoxification, plus heat, should decrease pain, and stimulate your cell mediated immunity. It gets quite a boost if you do it this way. If you use weights though or don't gradually build up you will suffer setbacks and make yourself sicker.
Keep cortisol levels moderate to low by avoiding heavy exercise. This is for your health, right? Then you can do this and stretching afterwards. Always warm up before you walk, bike, swim or whatever by just starting very easy, and then build your pace.
If you feel yourself getting sicker -- even slightly while doing the exercise after 5 mins, then discontinue. You will only go downhill. However, if you feel "slightly" better, then you know to maintain the pace for a reasonable time period. I can tell right from the start how I'll do.
If I don't feel right, I stop, period. I'll do something else that easier like fold laundry, or even take the day off. Pushing is a waste of time and energy and serves to do nothing but make you feel like you still have some fight left in you.
Don't waste your fight, fight systematically by organizing and carefully picking your fights -- reasoning is key, not brute force when it comes to rehabilitation, exercise and Lyme Disease.
P.S. Drink Cold fresh water (preferably not tap) while exercising to keep your heat level under control. Overheating is not a positive thing.
Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
I do mean to show off in the following comment because 4 month ago I couldn't even conceive of being able to do the exercise I did this morning.
Stretching exercises then 1.5 miles on the tread mill. 3 sets of 10 reps benching 150 pounds. Doing some curls and rowing leg lifts. Heavy calisthenics and stretching exercises for 30 minutes. 15 minutes with free weights another 2 sets of 10 reps with a 150 pounds on the bench. Ending with 5 minutes of rebounding. I'm able to do this 4 times a week now.
But I agree with all the comments. I've gotten to the point where I am now. And I was where everone is, as described. If I worked out heavy, it could take 10 days to recover and a lot of pain.
believe is so important.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
I just copied this from the 2008 Burrascano Lyme Treatment Guidelines. He explains the type of exercise he wants you to do.
Look at #1 and #5 especially where he says aerobics are to be avoided until the patient has recovered, as they can be damaging.:
PROGRAM: 1. Aerobic exercises are NOT allowed, not even low impact variety until the patient has recovered.
2. Conditioning: work to improve strength and reverse the poor conditioning that results from Lyme, through a whole-body exercise program, consisting of light calisthenics and/or resistance training, using light resistance and many repetitions. This can be accomplished in exercise classes called "stretch and tone", or "body sculpture", or can be achieved in the gym with exercise machines or carefully with free weights (see cautions above).
3. Each session should last one hour. A gentle hour is preferable to a strenuous half-hour. If the patient is unable to continue for the whole hour, then decrease the intensity to allow him/her to do so.
4. Exercise no more often than every other day. The patient may need to start by exercising every 4th or 5th day initially, and as abilities improve, work out more often, but NEVER two days in a row. The nonexercise days should be spent resting.
5. This whole-body conditioning program is what is required to achieve wellness. A simple walking program will not work, and simply placing the patient on a treadmill or an exercise bike is not acceptable (except very briefly, as part of a warm-up), as aerobics can be damaging and must be avoided.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
We have a group on www.lymefriends.com for exercise with Lyme. Feel free to come join the group and share in the discussions.
Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :
So TF aeurobics are out. I guess I should just try strength training then.
I also told myself that I would start doing simple stretches in the morning. I really should start.
Posted by Rambler (Member # 18794) on :
I'm getting weaker and weaker. The net that holds my picc line slips down my arm, becuase it's getting skinny.
I'm an athlete. This is killing me. My arms beg for a rest if I so much as brush my hair...
What gives?
Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :
Exactlly Rambler, we are honest people that deserve honest answers!
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Rambler, I hear you. The lyme gave me extreme muscle weakness--just like you describe. I couldn't hold the phone to talk for more than 1 minute, couldn't hold my mouth open to have my teeth cleaned, couldn't stand for more than a minute.
When you are that weak is not the time to start exercising. You start as soon as you are able to. Your day will come.
When I started, I could only exercise for 10 minutes. I had to work my way up slowly to 30. Took a long long time to get to the 1 hour mark. And, it was hard. But, it worked.
It is nearly 4 years since I stopped treatment and am symptom-free, enjoying my life. I had lyme for at least 5 years, but more likely 10 to 15. Plus bart and babs.